The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians have long been guided by the doctrine of self-determination. They have inhabited the region around Nanih Waiya – a massive earthen mound and cave that marks the birthplace of the Tribe – for thousands of years. As an independent nation, the Choctaw have worked hard to control their own destiny.

Self-determination guides the Tribe’s economic, educational and community development, including its forest management. Now, the Tribe is using their forest in a new way, developing a carbon project to help fund the expansion of a new Choctaw Central complex, which will house a middle and high school.

Duke University in Durham, N.C., consistently ranks among the very best U.S. universities. Now Duke is known for an additional achievement: climate leadership.

With no law, rule or regulation requiring the destruction of ozone-depleting substances – which are also potent climate-changing gases – and without financial resources to pay for destruction, the Thai government worked with Tradewater to safely and responsibly destroy gas from more than 1,400 cylinders.

Set on more than 36,000 acres of Acadian Forest in Maine, the project shows how the sale of carbon credits supports conservation and climate goals, while also promoting regional economic development to build the bioeconomy from responsible forestry.